I've never been a big fan of placing my tanks directly in front of a window. That being said, with the tank I am planning, I will have no choice. I have blackout blinds on the windows and there is very slight light penetration when they are closed. I think I may add a couple of plecos for algae abatement. Are there any other proven methods (besides chemicals) to control algae? I don't want to keep my blinds closed all of the time. Nor do I want to spend a lot of time cleaning algae.
Tank Placement
- Thread starter Cichlid savage II
- Start date
If it's going to be infront of a window, use that to your advantage. Make it a planted tank.
I had a 20long in the window, didn't even need a light save for after sundown viewing.
What I started with
Couple months later
I had a 20long in the window, didn't even need a light save for after sundown viewing.
What I started with
Couple months later
I agree with Jexnell, use the natural light to your advantage.
I have two tanks a 180 and a 125, both outside. One under a patio roof that gets about 4 hours of indirect tropical sun per day.
The surface of the tank is filled with terrestrial plants which act like a nitrate sponge, so algae is minimal because the plants use up the nutrients the algae needs, and provide some shade.
But even without artificial light, submerged aquatic plants grow grow like crazy.
My other tank is not under the patio roof, so gets about 8 hours or more of direct tropical sun.
This one needs regular algae attention and I use one of those magnet type units for the front glass panel
Since the 125 has only been set up since Jan, the aquatic plants are still adjusting
Both tanks are connected by the same pump, so share the same water, and nitrate is usuably undetectable.
I do have a couple artificial light bars, but they sit off to side, unless I want to get light to the tanks at night if doing some outdoor entertaining.
I have two tanks a 180 and a 125, both outside. One under a patio roof that gets about 4 hours of indirect tropical sun per day.
The surface of the tank is filled with terrestrial plants which act like a nitrate sponge, so algae is minimal because the plants use up the nutrients the algae needs, and provide some shade.
But even without artificial light, submerged aquatic plants grow grow like crazy.
My other tank is not under the patio roof, so gets about 8 hours or more of direct tropical sun.
This one needs regular algae attention and I use one of those magnet type units for the front glass panel
Since the 125 has only been set up since Jan, the aquatic plants are still adjusting
Both tanks are connected by the same pump, so share the same water, and nitrate is usuably undetectable.
I do have a couple artificial light bars, but they sit off to side, unless I want to get light to the tanks at night if doing some outdoor entertaining.
I appreciate the input Jexnell and Duanes. Your tanks look great! However I have my mind set on a SA Biotope for this tank. It will sit across from the Bay Window in my living room. I am really trying to get information on algae control.
The plants (both terrestrial or aquatic) are a form of algae control.
If enough plants are used, yhey use the nutrients the algae need to grow.
Below a tank i had back in Wisconsin of a south wall with windows.
And a S American biotope below i had on the same wall, where only terrestrial plants like Pothos were used for nutrient control, and the only light during the day, wa sunlight. As you can see some algae grew on the water logged wood, but I consider that part of the natural biotope
On the tank above, I painted a styrofoam panel for the back glass black, this also prevented indirect sun from getting in, and helped insulate to avoid temp fluctuations..
If enough plants are used, yhey use the nutrients the algae need to grow.
Below a tank i had back in Wisconsin of a south wall with windows.
And a S American biotope below i had on the same wall, where only terrestrial plants like Pothos were used for nutrient control, and the only light during the day, wa sunlight. As you can see some algae grew on the water logged wood, but I consider that part of the natural biotope
On the tank above, I painted a styrofoam panel for the back glass black, this also prevented indirect sun from getting in, and helped insulate to avoid temp fluctuations..
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I like them. I think the plants will take up too much space for what I have in mind.
UV sterilizer would help if you don't intend to use plants.I used one on an overhead sump when my 75g housed a red devil because he tore up all my plants to shreds.It's on the patio and gets sunlight throughout the day ,if it wasn't for the vallisneria,amazon swords and floating hydrilla this tank would look like a green bomb.(this pic was taken at night only has a small 2 feet Led on it)
Do you want the tank viewable from the out side?
I noticed while I was typing that
tlindsey
had suggested the same thing I was going to say.
With this also in my mind, a solid background and a canopy to block light from above. Also it's rare that a window will get 100% light in it the entire day. So keep the blinds closed through the direct light portion of the day. Either way should help.
I noticed while I was typing that
tlindsey
had suggested the same thing I was going to say.With this also in my mind, a solid background and a canopy to block light from above. Also it's rare that a window will get 100% light in it the entire day. So keep the blinds closed through the direct light portion of the day. Either way should help.
Put a background on the tank and have blackout curtains behind. Strong sunlight will be softened to the point where algae won't be an issue.